OVERVIEW

The NHS is undoubtedly in the throes of challenging times. Reform of the entire health and social care system, along with an ever-increasing ageing population and greater demands to deliver results on stricter budgets, has placed enormous pressure on services and staff. And yet the NHS is still regarded as the country's most valuable asset. Although there have been well-publicised failings in the system, as illustrated by Robert Francis, it is important to concentrate on how all those working within the NHS can actively promote better quality of care and put the patient back at the heart of the work they do.

Although the Francis Report brought to light many failings, not only at Mid Staffordshire but also within the wider healthcare system, it has also provided the opportunity to reaffirm the priorities of the NHS. Responses to the report from NHS England and the Department of Health commit to fostering a fundamental culture change to ensure that patient outcomes are prioritised over targets and that healthcare is delivered by caring and compassionate staff.

Moving on from Francis, the Keogh Review has set out an achievable ambition for improvement and raising standards across the three dimensions of quality: clinical effectiveness, patient experience and safety. It identifies common barriers to delivering high-quality care that are highly relevant to the whole health system, including a limited understanding of the importance of listening to the views of patients and staff and engaging them in improving services. Other areas for improvement include the proper collection, analysis and understanding of data at board and senior management level; the need for nurse staffing levels and skill mix to appropriately reflect caseload; and the positive impact happy and engaged staff can have on patient outcomes.

The Berwick Report places the quality and safety of patient care above all other aims for the NHS, advocating true engagement with and empowerment of patients and carers throughout the entire system, and at all times. It recommends continual learning and development for all staff, with a focus on the ability and opportunity to improve the processes within which they work. It urges thorough and unequivocal transparency, "in the service of accountability, trust and the growth of knowledge".

There has been much talk about what needs to be done to improve the quality of care provided and enhance the patient experience. Many recommendations have been made in terms of developing a transparent and open system, where patient opinion will be used to shape and improve services; embracing technology and innovation to improve efficiency and effectiveness; and embedding quality care at the heart of all training given to healthcare professionals. All key stakeholders are in agreement about what needs to be done. Now is the time for action.

NHS Quality of Care: putting the patient at the heart of healthcare will focus on how these fundamental changes can be made. Experts in delivering high-quality care will address the audience on the principles of bringing about positive change within the NHS. We will explore how a digital NHS can improve quality of care by improving communication, reducing error and freeing up time for health workers to spend caring for patients. Excellent care that already exists in the healthcare system, both in the UK and in Europe, will be showcased as examples of best practice.